| ![Show Contents]() Frankelin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Frankelin is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a landowner who was not a member of the nobility. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old French word fraunclein, which became frankeleyn in Old English, and denoted rank within the feudal system; a person "superior freeholder," next below gentlemen in dignity, now called country Squires. Moreover England is so filled and replenished with landed menne, that therein the smallest thorpe can not be found wherin dwelleth not a knight or an esquire, or such a householder as is there commonly called a Franklin, enriched with great possessions, and also other freeholders, and many yeomen, able for their livelyhood to make a jury in form aforementioned." 1 Chaucer mentions in his famous Canterbury Tales: "A Franklin was in this companie, White was his beard, as is the dayesie." Early Origins of the Frankelin familyThe surname Frankelin was first found in "Oxfordshire has been for ages one of the principal homes of the Franklins. The name, which in early times, as well as in those of Shakespeare, often signified a freeholder, is also established in Bucks, Berks, Beds, Herts, Essex, and Northamptonshire, so that it may be said to occupy a somewhat circumscribed and continuous area. In the 13th century its usual forms were Frankelayn, Frankeleyn, Fraunkelayn, Fraunkeleyn, sometimes preceded by "Le" and "De," Frankelin being rare; it was then especially numerous in Oxfordshire, and also in fair numbers in Bucks and Wilts, so that it would appear that in those early times, as in our own day, Oxfordshire and Bucks stood foremost amongst the English counties for their proportion of the Franklins." 2 Early rolls underline the wide spellings in use through the ages: Ralph Frankelem was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1195; Luke le Franckeleyn in the Feet of Fines for Cambridgeshire in 1234; Roger le Franklyn in the Hundredorum Rolls for Dorset in 1274; and John ffranklyng was recorded in 1522. 3 The famed Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was the son of Josiah Franklin Sr. (1657-1745), an English businessman from Ecton, Northamptonshire. Josiah emigrated to the American colonies in 1682 and married twice, having 17 children. Benjamin was Josiah Franklin's fifteenth child. Early History of the Frankelin familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frankelin research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1195, 1234, 1274, 1480, 1556, 1625, 1630, 1640, 1647, 1655, 1656, 1660, 1661, 1679, 1684, 1685, 1695, 1697, 1698, 1728 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Frankelin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Frankelin Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Frankelin include Franklyn, Francklyn, Francklin, Franklin, Franklind and many more. Early Notables of the Frankelin familyNotables of this surname at this time include: William Franklyn (1480?-1556), Dean of Windsor, born at Bledlow, Buckinghamshire; Robert Franklin (1630-1684), an English nonconformist divine; Sir John Franklyn (died 1647), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Middlesex in...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Frankelin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Frankelin family to Ireland
Some of the Frankelin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Frankelin familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Frankelin were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Henry Franklin who settled in Virginia in 1635; Thomas Franklin settled in New England in 1679; Josiah Franklin settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Pro rege et patria
Motto Translation: For King and country.
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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England
Ireland
